Life in Korea: adult product stores in Korea (NSFW)
The post is not safe for work – but the first 100 words or so are.
Sometimes you need a little something to spice things up, and sometimes you’re terrified of bringing your favorite items from home. While Korea maintains a veneer of conservative nature in the bedroom, you’d be surprised what you can pick up upon entering the not-visible-from-the-outside stores. While the pink signs are sometimes a giveaway, the blacked-out exterior will stand out amongst more typical glass displays. In some cases, you’ll find them along a main road, especially if a red-light district happens to be nearby. There are very few stores that look new, however – most of the ones I’ve seen have an interior that appears stuck in the late 80′s / early 90′s… Beware of dust and lack of turnover.
OK, with a SFW opener written, let’s get to the good stuff. The sex shops are called 성인용품 (seong-in yong-pum) in Korean, which simply translates to ‘Adult Merchandise’. If you search for that on Google Maps, you’ll find almost a thousand locations across the country. Search for it on Naver Maps, however, and you’ll get this:
Translation: you need to be at least 19 years old to do this search – login or enter your 이름 (i-reum – name) and 주민번호 (ju-min-beon-ho – citizen identification number) so Naver can check it against the database. Just use Google Maps – not only is it uncensored, it’s better at showing results in or around whatever area is on the screen.
Finally, I’ll note that there are hundreds around – these are just the ones I’ve seen first-hand – add a comment or e-mail me with what you know 
SEOUL:
Itaewon / Haebangchon area:
Love Shop – a non-descript white and red front. No word on hours, though the claim of ‘open 24 hours’ is anything but true. Good selection of dildos, some leather offerings (including whips and spankers) along with plenty of condoms and lube. No dust in sight, well-lit, but a bit more expensive than I expected things to be.
Address: 713 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu (new street address: 녹사평대로 246, or 246 Noksapyeong-dae-ro).
Phone: 010-4181-0469
Directions: Noksapyeong station, line 6, exit 2. Walk straight about 10 minutes to the pedestrian OVERPASS (pass by the UNDERPASS). Before climbing up the stairs, you should see the white-and-red storefront across the street. I’ll let you make the decision to jaywalk or play it safe.
Gangnam:
Bururu – very clean and well-lit, but definitely on the high end – hey it’s Gangnam – whaddya want? Condoms, lube, vibrators, and a larger-than-typical selection of leather items. Open from 1pm-10:30pm.
Address: Seoul, Seocho-gu, Seocho 4(sa)-dong, 1317-4
Phone: 02-533-5892
Directions: Gangnam station, line 2 or Sinbundang line, exit 9. Make the immediate right to walk down the road that runs parallel to Gangnam’s main drag. Walk about 200 meters to the first intersection. BEFORE crossing the intersection, STOP. The last building to your left has a Lotteria on the 1st floor and Bururu on the 5th floor.
Elsewhere in Seoul:
Cupid Club (큐피트 클럽) – the second floor right outside the subway station. Pretty typical selection, including a couple of pumps for men. No leather, but it’s easy to reach.
Address: 95 Bomun-dong-2-ga, Seongbuk-gu (new street address: 117 Bomun-ro, but you won’t need either of these)
Phone: 011-483-6992
Directions: Bomun station, line 6, exit 2. Once you reach the top of the stairs, STOP. Look left and up to the second floor of the building right next to you.
Within the Seoul Folk Flea Market, there are about 10 booths filled with a little bit of everything, from DVD and VHS porn, sex toys, some condoms, and lube. Head to the second floor; from the top of the ramp, head to the back right corner. Sinseol-dong station (line 1, exit 9), then immediately turn around. Turn left at the first street, then walk straight for 80 meters.
I’ve read there’s one in the Hapjeong station, line 2, between exits 2 and 3, and there’s a district of them in the Sungshin Women’s University station area (line 4).
Incheon:
Lots of dildos, male toys / pumps, silicone women and not-for-sale large wooden statues. Incheon City Hall station, exit 6, make a U-turn to right, then take a left. Walk straight for about 850 meters, then look left just before the Seokbawi intersection (석바위 사거리).
There’s plenty more out there – if you know of more, comment away! If you’d rather not profess your knowledge of sex shops publicly, e-mail me at chrisinsouthkorea AT gmail DOT com and I’ll add it to the post
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